China is racing ahead in 5G. Here’s what that means.

The next generation of wireless technology promises much faster speeds while using less power. No wonder Beijing is throwing everything at getting there first.

by Elizabeth Woyke

The Fangshan district is a quiet outer borough in southwest Beijing. Until recently it was best known for its petrochemical and steel plants. Today, this neighborhood of sleepy apartment buildings and train tracks is part of a mobile revolution enveloping cities across China: the world’s biggest rollout of 5G technology.